Are Androids Humanistic?

Humans is a British show about artificial intelligence, currently in its third season. This show has gone under the radar a bit. But it shouldn’t have. The plot is that the average suburban family in the future has a domestic android to help with the kids and the housecleaning. Chaos ensues, as people test the limits of the robots capabilities. Husbands and wives begin sleeping with the bots, behind each other’s backs. Sometimes they malfunction, and have to be put down. But the kids are attached to the bots, and shield them or the bots flee. A robot even commits suicide. There are also robot brothels.

Meanwhile, in a further experiment, other bots have gained higher consciousness. William Hurt makes an appearance as the former mad scientist’s buddy, who tries to shield one of the more advanced models from capture.

Many ethical questions ensue. If a robot is asked to kill another robot, will it kill them, or turn on the humans? Also what do robots want, to conquer humans, or to be human, and be adopted by a family? Are the robots influenced by abuse, to where they resent humanity? Are they responsible for their actions, or do they not know any better (when they malfunction)? How do robots feel about having been created simply as part of an experiment, rather than in some sort of divine creation?

This show answers all these questions, and more. After nearly completing the first season, it appears the show is saying the average person is so cruel and heartless, that the bots can teach us something about humanity. The show seems to imply that maybe humanity does not deserve to live.